Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay’s masterful performance (hard for this Reds fan to swallow) in Game 1 of the National League Division Series is a gem worth analyzing. While most insiders quickly recognize that a no-hitter involves team contributions, Roy Halladay’s entire season should be evaluated from the perspective of individual behavior. Nevertheless, the article also affords opportunities to discuss Human Resource Management, Motivation, and Teamwork.

QUESTIONS:

M1. In this day and age where professional athletes have very little commitment to a single team (consider Lebron James), Roy Halladay joins Philadelphia and has a record book-type season in his first year with the Phillies. Granted he had several good seasons with his previous team, the Toronto Blue Jays, but none that distinguishes him quite like this year’s effort. Discuss the role of his psychological contract with the Phillies and why that might help explain the situation. What is different about being with the Phillies (as opposed to the Blue Jays)?

M2. Clearly athletic ability contributes to Roy Halladay’s success. What about personality? Construct a personality type that you believe would be associated with success at the Major League level.

M3. Professional athletes earn tremendous salaries (in relation to what you and I can generally expect during our careers). Is this the key component of job satisfaction for a player like Roy Halladay? What other factors might contribute to his feelings about working for the Philadelphia Phillies? Is this something that the Phillies should care about?

M4. Big games like playoffs and no-hitters are stressful. Do moods influence these performances? If so, how? Consider the comment made by catcher Carlos Ruiz. Does this reflect mood contagion?

SOURCE: M. Dodd & S. Livingstone, “No-Hit Wonders: Reflections on MLB’s Exclusive Two-Man Club,” USA Today (Retrievable online at http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/nl/phillies/2010-10-07-halladay-no-hitter_N.htm)